Category: Uncategorized

 

This article originally appeared on Carter School News.

When Jonathan Fang, an Honors College student and a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, began his internship at the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation (MHCR), he had no idea that he would be facilitating a multi-cultural student dialogue group.

In Spring 2024, during his internship with MHCR, Jonathan and his supervisor, RowdaOlad, aMental Health and Psychosocial Support expert and Associate Director of the MHCR, came upon the idea of developing aseries of student-focused conversations on difficult, but relevant topics to students and inviting different cultural and ethnic student groups to participate.  Furthermore, it was hoped that students would learn to challenge their assumptions, appreciate different points of view and respectfully agree to disagree on sensitive topics through conversation in an open and judgement-free space. 

Discussion topics are pulled from real-life, complex issues facing college students.  Past topics have included Mental Health and Wellbeing, Race and Ethnicity, Political Polarization, and Interpersonal Relationship Reconciliation.

The idea for Tea Talk originated with the tradition of Somali tea gatherings, Casiriya, where the communities would gather resolve disputes, and is based on the work Olad performed in Eastern Africa.  Fang continues the Somali tradition by serving traditional Somali tea and sambusas, apastry similar to a samosas, at every session.

According to Fang, the first Tea Talk mostly consisted of Carter School Ambassadors, but has since grown to include members of CRU – the Christian Fellowship – the African Student Association, the Muslim Student Association, The College Republicans at Mason, and several other organizations.  Currently, the discussion series is preparing for the fifth, monthly session and averages a dozen student attendees per event.

Fang is pleased with the success of the dialogue series and hopes it will continue to grow.  “It’s great to see students willing to step out of their comfort zone, open up in honest conversation with care and understanding, and listen to different or conflicting perspectives.” 

When asked about the long-term vision for Tea Talk, Fang replied, “We’re looking to deepen and expand its impact both on campus and globally. This includes strengthening university connections and building sustained engagement among students.”

Currently, Fang is participating in a study abroad trip to the Philippines, where he hopes to explore how to build similar programs and to facilitate the exchange of peacebuilding practices in cross-cultural settings.

For information about upcoming Tea Talk sessions, please visit the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation for dates and times.

 

By Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.
 
On March 19, the Johnson Center Dewberry Hall, Fairfax Campus, filled with music, food, and movement – a living argument that healthy living is bigger than any single prescription. The 29th annual Health and Fitness Expo, free and open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community, brought together more than 30 campus and community partners around one shared premise: a healthy life encompasses much more than diet and exercise. 

This year’s Expo introduced two new additions. A “Benefits Fair” offered faculty and staff one-on-one conversations about financial security, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), mental health benefits, and lifestyle resources. The Expo also piloted a “Support Kit” — a discreet bag stocked with health products, feminine hygiene items, and travel-size necessities for difficult moments. “We hope to supply our students, staff, and faculty with a support kit filled with health, safety, and financial resources that can be stored in different offices and places on campus,” said a Human Resources representative. 

Not everyone arrived expecting to leave changed. Austin Kraus, a College of Science sophomore, came for the free food, but stayed for the yoga. “The most interesting part was trying and learning about different types of yoga and medical insurance,” Kraus said.

That range of activities — from cooking to information on healthcare coverage — defined the day. Mason Dining hosted a live cooking demonstration featuring gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sodium options, walking attendees through recipes tailored to different dietary needs. Sun and Moon Yoga Studio instructor Christine Clardy, who led one of the fitness sessions, took stock of the room. “When I was in college, I did not have events like this,” she said. “Seeing all sorts of support for human life — not just students but the local community and outreach groups too — is amazing.” 

Attendees participated in raffles, health trivia, blood drives, and screenings for glucose levels and heart rate. Community partners, including CommonHealth, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Aetna Better Health of Virginia, were on hand throughout. 

For Jennifer De La Rosa, associate director of Marketing and Communications for University Life, the breadth of the day was the point. “I want everyone to know this event is open to everyone — faculty, staff, students, the entire community,” she said. “It’s about showing them that they can have happy, healthy lives. And that having a healthy life encompasses not just health and food. It includes activities, dancing, singing, creativity, and fitness for all.” 

The Expo was hosted by Student Health Services, Mason Recreation, Mason Dining, Human Resources, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, University Life Marketing and Communications, and the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience. The collaborative effort illustrates that at George Mason, the infrastructure for student success extends well beyond the classroom. 

 

By Joisanne Rodgers, Contemporary Student Services. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.  

At George Mason University, “All Together Different” is a defining idea that reflects a student body shaped by real-life responsibilities, including the many students raising children or caring for family members.  

This year, more than 30 percent of George Mason students who participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) reported spending time in their week caregiving—for children, siblings, parents, or other family members. That’s not a footnote. It’s a significant portion of the student body navigating coursework alongside responsibilities that many campus programs weren’t built to acknowledge. University Life’s Contemporary Student Services (CSS) unit is working to change that.  

CSS’s monthly Student Parent and Caregiver Meetups are spaces designed to foster connection and build support networks that research links to student retention and success. This year, it received the NASPA Adult Learner and Students with Children Knowledge Community’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student Parent Program award, which honors innovative approaches to supporting the unique needs of student parents in higher education. 

Supporting student success means recognizing those realities and meeting students as learners and caregivers at the same time. Each student and staff member involved gives care, time, support, and so much more to ensure that George Mason student parents and caregivers have a place to gather, be in community, and know they belong and matter. “This space was one of the biggest contributors to my sense of belonging at George Mason,” commented alumna Veronica Vassar (MA Higher Education and Student Development ’25), reflecting on her participation in the program. 

Building a support system 

The meetups began as virtual gatherings during COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020, conceived and hosted by CSS Associate Director Shyama Kuver. By fall 2022, the initiative had growninto an in-person program co-led by undergraduate student parent and FamilyU Fellow Valeria Fernandez. After her fellowship, Fernandez continued her work with CSS as a Contemporary Student Ambassador, helping grow the program alongside Caroline Simpson, then CSS coordinator and now NSFP assistant director. 

When Fernandez graduated, undergraduate student parent and CSS Ambassador Chathrini Sirisena stepped into the leadership role — and has since joined the alumni community.Today, the meetups continue to flourish thanks to CSS student ambassadors, Mahjabeen Rahman and Kaitlyn La, Ryne Kimlick, an undergraduate student parent and CSS peer mentor,and Maria Garin Jones, CSS coordinator. 

That continuity — students carrying the work forward for other students — speaks to what the program has built over the years. 

“I am so glad to hear that the program has been recognized,” Sirisena said. “As a student parent, being there with others just like me was so meaningful. That feeling of not being alone in the experience is so important, and I am grateful we have been able to create that for our student parents.” 

For Kuver, the recognition reflects something she has believed since the beginning. “The CSS meetups were my first program implementation at George Mason,” she said. “I believe in their importance and in their evolution. I believe in the spirit and necessity of horizontal support networks for our student communities.” 

George Mason University is also a proud recipient of the FamilyU Seal, a national certification recognizing the important work done every day to help student parents pursue their education, access economic mobility, and thrive. Together, these distinctions reflect what the meetups have built over time: a place where student parents know they belong and that their success matters.  

 

 

This article originally appeared on The George.

A new Schar School of Policy and Government undergraduate minor debuts in fall 2026: Lobbying and Advocacy is an interdisciplinary minor that develops students’ understanding of policy institutions and industries, and how to influence both as a professional advocate. 

The program, one of only two in the country and the only one in the Washington, D.C., region, will offer opportunities for experiential learning, including field projects, internships at key Washington, D.C., firms, and the George Mason University’s annual grassroots advocacy trip Mason Lobbies to the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia.

The course was codeveloped by Schar School Term Professor David K. Rehr, professor of public policy and director of the Center for Business Civic Engagement, and Zayd Hamid, a master of public policy student (with an emphasis in education policy), over a multiyear process.Rehr, a former longtime advocate for major nonprofit organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, is happy to share the inspiration for the course with Hamid, who had the idea as an undergraduate in the Schar School’s public administration program. 

“He drafted the outline of the minor and I adjusted it to maximize value for students from various George Mason departments whose students could benefit,” he said. Students in degree programs including business, communication, conflict analysis and resolution, environmental and sustainability studies, economics, and other fields would find lobbying skills useful.

“Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change, even if they do not become full-time lobbyists themselves,” he said.

“The government,” Rehr added, “is increasingly becoming more involved in the activities of businesses, nonprofits, and other industries and professionals who understand the advocacy process who can provide innovative solutions will be increasingly valuable to their employers.”  

For Hamid, the minor is personal. As his graduation approached in spring 2024, the proudly first-generation college student began thinking less about what he had accomplished as a student and more about what he would leave behind.

His college accomplishments were substantial, among them, discovering advocacy through Mason Lobbies, serving as a panelist for a congressional staff briefing on financial aid, and being named the inaugural National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics Student Advocate of the Year, an award he dedicated to Rehr.

“The nexus between all those pivotal moments in my undergraduate years was taking Dr. Rehr’s GOVT 318 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process class,” Hamid said. “I am a direct product of the wisdom and industry insights he shared with me and of the mentorship and support he’s given me over the years…. His class and Mason Lobbies shaped the trajectory of my undergraduate experience, cultivating my interest in policy into a passion for education advocacy.”

As he considered what he could leave as a legacy, the answer became clear: “It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate,” he said. 

Hamid, who is a graduate professional assistant with George Mason’s University Life, is cochair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Student Advisory Committee, the commonwealth’s coordinating agency for higher education. That latter role, alongside his previous experience as the student representative on the education integrity advisory Mason Core Committee, accustomed him to academic program policies at a state and institutional level. This positioned him to support his and Rehr’s proposal through George Mason’s internal processes, culminating in a final vote by the Undergraduate Council in December, clearing the way for inclusion in the catalog in fall 2026 

The proposal’s review was expedited and streamlined amid political shifts in Washington, which, to Hamid’s mind, created opportunities for employment for graduates. 

“Federal furloughs and a changing Washington, D.C, policy landscape have resulted in more students exploring careers outside of—but adjacent to—Congress and the White House,” he said. “So, this minor also helps the Schar School meet the moment and respond to a shifting job market.”

 

As campus protests and demonstrations have become increasingly common at universities nationwide, George Mason University has taken a proactive approach to supporting students through these events. The Student Expression Advocacy (SEA) Team, part of the university’s Rapid Response Collaborative, exists to ensure that students are informed of their rights, connected to resources, and supported during campus events — from protests and demonstrations to career fairs and commencement ceremonies.  

The team held its spring kickoff meeting on February 12, 2026, bringing together 20 of its 24 members. Facilitated by University Life (UL) Senior Assistant Dean Lori Scher, the meeting centered on the team’s core mission: providing support for student expression during campus protests, demonstrations involving external groups exercising their First Amendment rights, and planned events such as career fairs and commencement ceremonies. To that end, team members worked to establish clear roles and expectations for Advocates, who serve as frontline supporters engaging with students during events, promoting safety, and helping them navigate university policies and understand their rights.  

SEA Team Advisors include Brent Ericson (assistant dean and director of Student Conduct), Josh Kinchen (director of LGBTQ+ Resources), Phil McDaniel (associate director of Student Involvement), and Colton Goodman (assistant director of Housing and Residence Life). UL Planning Manager Angie Villegas (currently on parental leave) has also been instrumental in forming and developing this team. 

“The Advisors [Brent, Josh, Phil, and Colton] are integral to this work,” said Scher. “They each offer deep expertise, which is critical as we work to advance the team’s strategic direction, ensure alignment with university policies, and foster a truly supportive environment for student expression.” 

Scher also emphasized the value of the kickoff meeting in building community among team members: “By coming together, we are not just establishing roles; we are fostering a strong team-based culture that is essential for the success of our mission.” 

The SEA Team is vital for several reasons: 

• Fostering a culture that supports freedom of expression 

• Ensuring students are well-connected to resources and support 

• Collaborating with Risk, Safety, and Resilience (RSR), Emergency Management (EM), and the Police Department (PD) to cultivate strong relationships 

• Helping students adhere to policies and understand their rights 

The team is also working directly with student leaders to assess perceptions of campus demonstrations and the work of UL Rapid Response through student focus groups and outreach efforts, with the goal of strengthening its visibility and connection with the campus community. 

Looking ahead, the Rapid Response Collaborative will expand with the development of a Compassionate Support Team and an Emergency Response Team. Villegas, along with the Advisors, will work on defining roles, determining activation protocols for the various teams, and organizing training sessions that empower this critical work. 

Interested in joining the SEA Team or getting involved in Rapid Response work? Contact Lori Scher or Angie Villegas. 

 

 

By Lisa Snyder, CLIE associate director for leadership education and development 

The Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE), in collaboration with Fraternity and Sorority Life, hosted the Alumni Leadership Speaker Series: Leadership in the Letters: Alumni Stories of Impact, held virtually on March 2. The event brought together current students and alumni to explore how leadership experiences at George Mason continue to shape professional journeys after graduation. 

The program was facilitated by Andy Brown and Nicholas Cuevas, CLIE Student Leadership Consultants, who guided a panel discussion with four alumni representing different fraternities and sororities: Selena Chagolla-Segura (Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc.), Najeeba “Najee” Gassel (Zeta Tau Alpha), Kye Farrow (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.), and Michael Marino (Delta Chi Fraternity). 

Panelists reflected on how their involvement in Fraternity and Sorority Life and other student organizations helped develop leadership skills that continue to influence their professional lives. They emphasized the importance of leading with empathy, recognizing that leadership is not limited to positional roles, and that everyone has the capacity to lead and create impact within their communities. 

“I was honored to be invited to speak on this panel because I am deeply passionate about service, given my experience in Mason Greek Life and now as a fundraiser for a national nonprofit,” said Gassel, who is campaign development manager for Blood Cancer United. “The skills, lessons, and experiences I gained with FSL have a direct connection to my career, and for that, I am so grateful.” 

Valuable lifelong skills 

Panelists shared that the experiences they gained as students—planning programs, managing budgets, collaborating with student organizations, navigating difficult conversations—directly prepared them for the responsibilities they now manage in their careers. They also highlighted how their time at George Mason allowed them to build meaningful relationships with staff, advisors, and mentors who helped guide their leadership development. 

The alumni discussed the lasting impact of fraternity and sorority membership, noting that the values of brotherhood, sisterhood, service, and accountability continue to shape how they lead teams, support their communities, and approach their work. 

Insights from the panelists reinforced a key message for current students: The leadership opportunities available at George Mason, both inside and outside the classroom, can serve as powerful foundations for future careers and lifelong leadership. 

The Alumni Leadership Speaker Series aims to connect students with alumni whose experiences demonstrate how campus involvement can translate into meaningful professional and community impact long after graduation. If you are interested in collaborating on a future Alumni Leadership Speaker Series, please contact Lisa Snyder.  

 

 

By Lisa Snyder, CLIE associate director for leadership education and development 

University Life’s Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE) welcomed 5th and 6th grade students from Terraset Elementary School on February 27 for a dynamic leadership conference centered on leadership development, self-awareness, and community. Designed, organized, and facilitated by Student Leadership Consultants—a group that works with CLIE to provide high-quality leadership training programs—the conference invited students to explore who they are, how they relate to others, and how leadership shows up in their everyday lives. This year, the conference was hosted in George Mason’s new Activities Building on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus, which provided a welcoming environment for students to engage in the day’s experiences. 

“Our yearly partnership with Terraset Elementary is one of my favorite events,” said Andy Brown, a senior majoring in theater and a CLIE leadership consultant. “It’s a privilege to be able to teach and mentor these students about leadership and positive change and hear about how they want to impact the world around them.” 

Grant funding from The Lowe’s Foundation supports K–12 partnerships and creates meaningful opportunities for George Mason students to engage with the broader community. This support allows Student Leadership Consultants to share their expertise in leadership, ethics, communication, conflict management, goal setting, and values-based decision-making, bringing these practices into the community. 

Rethinking roles 

Students participated in interactive workshops that introduced leadership as something accessible, relational, and grounded in values. The Leadership 101 workshop encouraged students to rethink traditional ideas about leadership, prompting them to consider whether leadership is tied to titles or can emerge through actions, character, and responsibility to others.  

“By showing that leadership is not just something you are born with but a skill you can practice, I am encouraging a new way of thinking that can lead to positive change,” said Minsoo Kim, a student leadership consultant in the elementary education master’s program. Through conversation and hands-on activities, students explored qualities they value in leaders and reflected on how leadership influences their choices at school, at home, and in their communities.    

In the True Colors workshop, students engaged in self-reflection and discovery, learning how different personality temperaments shape communication, teamwork, and leadership styles. This session emphasized the importance of appreciating differences, helping students recognize their strengths while building empathy and respect for others. By connecting personality awareness to collaboration and leadership, students practiced skills essential for working across differences and building inclusive communities. 

Connection and collaboration 

The conference also featured collaborations across campus. In partnership with The EDGE, students participated in the EDGE on Wheels program, engaging in hands-on team-building activities that emphasized communication and working together toward shared goals. Students also met with George Mason Esports, learning about the program’s innovative work.Students connected with Esports members and played video games, demonstrating how teamwork, strategy, and leadership show up in our everyday lives.  

Terraset students left the conference with a stronger sense of confidence, language to describe their leadership identities, and an understanding that everyone has the potential to be a leader. The Student Leadership Consultants activated their own leadership learning through facilitating dialogue, guiding reflection, and modeling ethical, community-centered leadership. The continued partnership with Terraset Elementary highlights the impact of intentional leadership education and the role college students can play in nurturing the next generation of leaders. 

 

This article originally appeared on The George.

Paul Bazzano has worked for Mason Recreation for more than 30 years. He started as a student worker while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in communication at George Mason University and is now assistant director of competitive sports and athletic training.  

Colleagues have applauded Bazzano for his outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing Mason Recreation’s mission. He has made numerous contributions that have strengthened Mason Recreation’s programs, elevated its visibility across campus and beyond, and deepened the university’s commitment to inclusive and adaptive recreation. For these reasons, Bazzano was selected as the March Employee of the Month.  

In their nominations, many of Bazzano’s colleagues talked about how he went above and beyond in coordinating two major university events that brought together campus and community partners in meaningful ways. 

The first event was the National Beep Baseball All-Star Tournament, which brought more than 70 blind and visually impaired athletes, coaches, and volunteers from across the country to George Mason. In addition to the tournament, Bazzano organized a Learn-to-Play Clinic, giving about 25 visually impaired students and community members the opportunity to experience Beep Baseball for the first time. 

“Paul has continued to elevate the profile of our department and the awareness of a wonderful adaptive sport,” said Sheldon Tate, executive director of Mason Recreation. “He has poured himself fully into the Beep Baseball movement and is quickly becoming the quintessential ally for individuals with disabilities. We are proud to follow his lead, and there are dozens of colleagues across campus who would absolutely agree that Paul is raising the bar.” 

“Through his leadership, Paul has strengthened partnerships with organizations such as Game One, MindsEye, Lighthouse for the Blind, and the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes,” said Ethan Carter, associate director of programs, well-being, and assessment. “He also began discussions with the Junior Tennis Champions Center to host a wheelchair tennis event in Spring 2026, expanding George Mason’s reach and reputation in adaptive sports.” 

In addition to forging new opportunities for differently abled athletes, Bazzano supports all the students who participate in Mason Recreation’s programs, said Jennifer Tolson, head athletic trainer at Mason Recreation 

“Paul works day and night to help our club teams and intramurals succeed both on and off the field,” said Tolson. “He’s always finding ways to make things happen—even when it seems impossible. A great example of this is when our football team had an opponent forfeit. Paul immediately searched for another team to play, ensuring our athletes still got the experience they deserved. That’s who Paul is—he never gives up on our teams and always fights to give them the best opportunities possible.” 

How did you come to Mason: 

I started at George Mason in 1995 as an undergraduate student and never really left. I worked in athletics and recreation as a student, and after graduation I was offered the chance to continue doing work I loved. Mason has been home ever since. 

Best day on the job: 

It is hard to narrow it down to one day. March 2006 during the Final Four run stands out. I was responsible for supervising the student bus to Dayton, Ohio, for the first round, and what was supposed to be a quick trip turned into something much bigger. The pride on campus during that stretch is something I have never seen before and have not seen since. 

What do you like best about working at Mason: 

Watching students grow and move on to do great things. What means the most is when they come back and reconnect. Knowing you played even a small role in their experience stays with you.  

What do you like to do when you’re not working: 

I enjoy staying active. Whether it is playing a sport or just finding ways to stay healthy, that has always been an important part of my life. I have also taken up sports photography, which has been a fun creative outlet and another way to give back to our students. 

 

This article originally appeared on The George.

For just the second time, more than 70 George Mason University student-athletes have earned the Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award for their outstanding academic achievements. Following a record-breaking 78 honorees last year, 74 student-athletes were recognized during a ceremony held in February. 

The Provost Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2009 by then-Provost Peter N. Stearns to recognize student athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher with at least 38 credit hours. 

The reception, hosted by Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, celebrated this year’s Provost Scholar-Athletes and was attended by parents, deans and professors, and senior athletics administrators. 

Interim provost and executive vice president Ajay Vinzé congratulated the group. Jack Chapman, a senior member of the swimming and diving team and a three-time recipient of the award, spoke on behalf of his fellow student athletes.  

Marvin Lewis, George Mason assistant vice president and director of athletics, also congratulated the honorees during the ceremony. “This award represents the very best of what it means to be a George Mason student-athlete,” he said. “Tonight is not just about athletic talent— it’s about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena. Keep working hard. Keep pushing forward. And keep inspiring the people around you—because you are the standard.” 

Among this year’s honorees, 31 are first-time recipients, 29 have earned the award twice, and 14 have been named Provost Scholar-Athletes three or more times. 

First-Time Recipients 

Lucas Alberti, Baseball, Business 

Bryson Barnett, Cross Country & Track, Kinesiology 

Regan Bestick, Lacrosse, Biology 

Kaitlyn Bronowicz, Softball, Community Health 

Charles Bunting, Wrestling, Business 

Davian Burke, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Mechanical Engineering 

Owen Clyne, Baseball, Integrated Studies 

Riley Ellis, Lacrosse, Neuroscience 

Shivaani Ganesh, Women’s Tennis, Cyber Security Engineering 

Jack Graham, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Business 

Tess Altevers Harris, Softball, Economics 

David Hill, Men’s Volleyball, Business 

Pierce Hokenson, Golf, Business 

Julia Howe, Rowing, Criminal Justice 

Kaitlyn Kutz, Rowing, Chemistry 

Marta Kux, Rowing, Business 

Alexander Lillie, Men’s Volleyball, Criminology, Law and Society 

Sabrina Liu, Rowing, Nursing 

Jordan Lucas, Women’s Volleyball, Neuroscience 

Michael Madigan, Baseball, Business 

Adelline Oliveira, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Physics 

Helena Santacana, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Mechanical Engineering 

Aleigha Scherber, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Biology 

Ryan Serbia, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Cyber Security Engineering 

Madison Sobota, Softball, English 

Thomas Stofka, Wrestling, Kinesiology 

Noelle Talarek, Women’s Tennis, Integrated Studies 

Giselle Torain, Lacrosse, Psychology 

Kailynn Tyson, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Elementary Education 

Maxwell Vom Saal, Cross Country & Track, Kinesiology 

Camryn Weldon, Women’s Volleyball, Business 

Aidan Weltin, Men’s Volleyball, Business 

Angelina Zeidan, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Kinesiology 

Two-Time Recipients 

Lauren Bailey, Co-ed Cheerleading, Sport and Recreation Studies 

Victoria Bates, Women’s Lacrosse, Special Education 

Kara Becker, Women’s Rowing, Anthropology 

Julia Bike, Women’s Soccer, Business 

Alayna Brooker, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Bioengineering 

Luke Brown, Cross Country/Indoor Track, Economics 

Caitlin Cardin, Co-ed Cheerleading, Government and International Politics 

Mia Casciani, Women’s Soccer, Sports Management 

Haleigh Dellow, Softball, Psychology 

Makenna Diaz, Co-ed Cheerleading, Education 

Brant Ertel, Baseball, Business 

Robert Evangelista, Men’s Volleyball, Business 

Amalia Florou Dimitriadou, Women’s Indoor Track, Psychology 

Marie Franjicic, Women’s Soccer, Kinesiology 

Kaleigh Friend, Softball, Special Education 

Sarah “Midori” Galligan, Women’s Rowing, Kinesiology 

Page Greenburg, Women’s Basketball, Psychology 

Kristen Ivey, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Criminology, Law and Society 

June Johnson, Women’s Rowing, International Security and Law 

Elene Meurmishvili, Women’s Rowing, Economics 

Harlowe Nigh, Softball, Psychology 

Carly Passaro, Women’s Soccer, Government and International Politics 

Isabella Puentes, Women’s Rowing, Electrical Engineering 

Clare Smith, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Psychology 

Casey Tingen, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Business 

Madyson Taylor, Women’s Soccer, Community Health 

Jazmine Vasquez, Women’s Rowing, Business 

Three-Year Recipients 

Megan Baird, Women’s Indoor Track, Computer Engineering 

Kaitlyn Bestick, Women’s Lacrosse, Political Science 

Evan Blanchard, Baseball, Sports Management  

Selamawit Caldart, Women’s Soccer, Integrated Studies 

Pilar Cerritos Gatto, Women’s Rowing, Psychology 

Jack Chapman, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Criminology, Law and Society 

Rachel Eberly, Women’s Soccer, Sports Management 

Peyton Farley, Women’s Lacrosse, Psychology 

Alexandra Hooks, Women’s Soccer, Biology 

Kamryn Inman, Softball, Community Health 

Sierra Matheson, Women’s Indoor Track, English 

Ella (“Marley”) Oare, Women’s Indoor Track, Global Affairs 

Allyson Yeary, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Business 

Georgi Zahariev, Men’s Volleyball, Cyber Security 

 

By Sofya Vetrova, Mason Dining. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.

This Valentine’s Day, in partnership with the Office of New Student and Family Programs, Mason Dining hosted a Teaching Kitchen designed specifically for first-year and transfer students. The 50 available spots filled immediately, a clear signal that today’s students are looking for connection, not just consumption.

The session was led by Chef William Weaver , Director of Student Engagement, and Chef George Charbel, Campus Executive Chef. Together, they guided students through three hands-on stations focused on practical, confidence-building skills:

• Chocolate Mug Cake – introducing foundational baking techniques
• Overnight Oats – reinforcing wellness and smart meal planning
• Elevated Ramen – teaching students how to transform a staple into a balanced, intentional meal

But the real outcome wasn’t the recipes. It was community.

Mason Dining Voice and Vision survey (Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services) have made it clear that dining is one of the most powerful touchpoints for belonging:

• 60.6% of first-year students say dining helps them adjust to college life.
• 53.1% say dining helps them feel welcome on campus.

For first-year and transfer students especially, the transition to campus can feel isolating. A teaching kitchen changes that dynamic. It creates a shared experience. It lowers barriers. It sparks conversation. It builds confidence. It turns strangers into peers. Events like this don’t just teach students how to cook. They create connection at a moment when connection matters most.

Teaching Kitchen is part of Mason Dining’s ongoing engagement-based programming. The team hosts monthly activations centered on different themes, with this Valentine’s Day event developed in collaboration with New Student Programs. Throughout the year, Mason Dining also offers a variety of experiential events, including its Supper Club series – a fine-dining-style experience hosted in the dining halls.

At George Mason, dining is more than a service. It is a strategy for belonging – one intentionally designed to support student transition, build confidence, and reinforce the university’s commitment to helping every student succeed.